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Appointments fill fast at vaccination site

By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

The Houston Health Department announced at 4 p.m. Jan. 22 that it was opening 1,600 new COVID-19 vaccination appointment slots for this week, with Moderna vaccine doses to be administered starting Monday at Houston ISD’s Delmar Stadium at 2020 Mangum Rd. Those slots were filled within approximately five minutes, according to a subsequent news release from the city.

“More appointment opportuni-

ties will be announced as supply increases,” the health department said.

Although demand continues to outpace supply, the region’s race to be vaccinated figures to speed up with the opening of the mega drive-thru site at Delmar Stadium, which earlier in the pandemic served as a drive-thru testing site for the city.

The health department said it plans to announce new appointment opportunities on a weekly basis, based on supply. Appointments are based on vaccine availability and may be adjusted

according to supply, according to the city.

Residents who are included in the Phase 1A or 1B priority groups as outlined by the Texas Department of State Health Services, and who have not yet received their first vaccine dose, were eligible to register online at houstonemergency.org/covid19.

Those included in Phase 1A are healthcare workers, pharmacy workers, residents and staff of long-term care facilities, first responders and school nurses. The See Appointments P. 5A

Photo by Jean Dukate Community members in vehicles wait to receive COVID-19 vaccinations earlier this week at Delmar Stadium, 2020 Mangum Rd.

Tussle over Timber

Pregnant city council member gets vaccine to encourage others

By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

3434 Ella Blvd Jellyfishsushi.com

INSIDE.

Worth their weight. Artist Shirley Scarpetta specializes in bronze sculptures.

Page 7A

Savor the flavor. Zarah Parker reviews Savior, a quaint and elegant Heights restaurant.

Page 7A

Photo by Adam Zuvanich Houston ISD plans to cut down a cluster of mature pine trees on the north side of the Sinclair Elementary campus at 6410 Grovewood Ln. to make room for two auxiliary buildings to be used as classrooms.

Plan for Sinclair mobilizes community

By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com

Scramble for shots. Local residents share their experiences with trying get vaccinated.

Page 1B

When parents attended the “January Coffee with the Principal” event at Sinclair Elementary, they were surprised to learn of a project that would add more temporary buildings to their campus by the fall, giving the school more classrooms on the outside of the main building than inside it.

And when they found out the addition would require the removal of more than 20 of the mature pine trees on the Timbergrove Manor campus, the outcry intensified.

“Sinclair is a beautiful campus,” Sinclair parent Traci Riley said. “Its charm is organic, and it is part of the fabric of the Timbergrove community.”

It is not only the school parents who are unhappy with the plan by Houston ISD, which calls for the removal of 23 trees and the addition of two auxiliary buildings at a proSee Timber, P. 5A

Eagles soaring. Booker T. Washington is near the top of the District 23-4A standings.

Page 4B

See Kamin, P. 4A

Photo by Adam Zuvanich Mature pine trees on the Sinclair Elementary campus in Timbergrove Manor tower behind homes one block to the north on Cindy Lane.

Contributed photo Houston City Council member Abbie Kamin, right, prepares to receive a COVID-19 vaccine dose on Jan. 23 at La Nueva Casa de Amigos, 1806 Keene St.

LHN improving curb appeal with renovations

By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

THE INDEX. Church....................................................... 4A Classifieds.............................................. 5A Coupons................................................... 3B Food/Drink/Art................................... 7A Obituaries............................................... 4A Opinion..................................................... 3A Public Information......................... 8A Puzzles...................................................... 3A Sports......................................................... 4B

Pregnancy is personal for women and their families, and so is the medical care they receive.

Abbie Kamin is a public figure, and she’s using her platform to encourage pregnant women like herself to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Kamin, the Houston City Council member for District C, which includes the Heights, Garden Oaks and Oak Forest, received her first dose of the Moderna vaccine on the morning of Jan. 23. She invited Houston news media to document the occasion at La Nueva Casa de Amigos, where three other women who are either pregnant or breastfeeding received vaccine doses along with Kamin.

“I was a little nervous – there’s a whole list of things you’re nervous and unsure about when you’re pregnant,” Kamin said. “You want to do the right things to make sure your future child is healthy and safe. I know there’s other women who may be hesitant or nervous, and I want them to know they’re not alone, and that at 8 months pregnant, I, myself, am getting the shot.

“We need everyone to help get the word out about the specific risks pregnant women face if they get COVID, and the benefits of the vaccine,” she added. “I’ll continue to do everything I can to help support women in Houston and their families.”

Pregnant women are in the Phase

Photo by Adam Zuvanich Lutheran High North, the 41-year-old private school at 1130 W. 34th St., is undergoing a $225,000 renovation to improve its curb appeal to neighborhood residents.

Lutheran High North celebrated its 40th anniversary last year.

Now the private high school at 1130 W. 34th St. is focused on the future and serving the next generation of students.

Lutheran High North principal Dana Gerard said the school began a $225,000 renovation project in December to improve its “curb appeal” to a surround-

ing community that is rapidly developing and seeing an influx of young families. The work to upgrade the school’s frontfacing exterior is a joint venture between Lutheran High North and the Lutheran Education Association of Houston (LEAH), which oversees the Garden Oaks campus along with two other private schools in the region.

“If you look around that community, there is a lot of investment being made in the

community. They’re establishing new businesses, homes and apartments,” said LEAH executive director Randy Einem, the father of a 2003 Lutheran High North graduate. “We felt, ‘Hey, we want to invest in this community as well. We want to look our best.’ We recognized the facility needed a little love.”

Gerard said the renovation, which is being funded entirely by donations from community See Renovations P. 4A

Page 2A • Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 • The Leader

DON’T PUT YOUR HEALTH ON HOLD

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Advancing health. Personalizing care.

THE TOPICS. The Leader • Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 • Page 3A

Cut down the trees but keep the sentiment

T

he pine trees that tower above the Sinclair Elementary School campus provide oxygen, shade and scenery for the surrounding community. They help provide protection from flooding, too, because the mature trees’ root systems help soak up water after heavy rains.

At the same time, those who run the beloved Timbergrove Manor school have to provide an education for the children in the neighborhood, along with a safe and secure place for them to learn. And because kids have flooded Sinclair’s classrooms in recent years, forcing some zoned students to transfer to other Houston ISD schools because of overcrowding, the district must provide more classroom space.

That means the community must part ways with some of those beloved trees to make room for more school buildings, as much as it doesn’t want to and as much as some of its stakeholders are trying to keep that from happening. It’s the best option at this point in time, based on the existing circumstances on campus and at HISD headquarters.

As you read about on today’s front page, many Timbergrove residents have expressed opposition to a plan that was proposed and approved by the HISD Board of Education in

Adam

Zuvanich Editor

December 2019 but did not register on the neighborhood’s collective radar until recently. HISD wants to cut down 23 mature trees, most of which are clustered on the north end of the Sinclair property at 6410 Grovewood Ln., to make way for two new auxiliary buildings that will house eight classrooms apiece at a projected cost of more than $3 million.

Concerned parents and other citizens have organized and mobilized in recent weeks, calling a virtual town hall meeting with Sinclair principal Lee Mashburn and persuading the school and HISD to pause the plan for a period of two weeks, beginning Jan. 19. And their reasons for doing so are understandable.

Small, detached school buildings that look more like mobile homes are unsightly in an affluent neighbor-

hood like Timbergrove – especially compared to tall pines – and those trees come with benefits from an environmental and aesthetic standpoint.

Spending that much money to temporarily fix an overcrowding problem that isn’t going away also seems like a waste of resources.

But what other options are there between now and the start of the next school year, when Sinclair likely won’t have enough existing classroom space for the 600 or so kids whose families want them to go there? HISD is a huge district with lots of bureaucracy and no existing bond for new campuses, so it can’t build a new school in a matter of one year, let alone a few months. And even though the Sinclair campus is plenty spacious, putting auxiliary buildings in an area without as many trees would impact the school’s well-used recreational amenities such as a soccer field, baseball field and Spark Park.

Would some families in the neighborhood be willing to send their kids to another HISD campus with more empty seats but less proximity to home, established friends and wellliked teachers? Not likely.

And let’s look at the big picture here. While almost no one likes the idea of chopping down trees, we need

to acknowledge that Houston – and its neighborhoods like Timbergrove – were created by cutting through a forest. If we’re so worried about losing a few trees, let’s tear some buildings down and plant new trees.

Speaking of planting trees, while surveying the Sinclair campus earlier this week, I couldn’t help but notice a cluster of recently planted saplings mixed in with some mature pines on the southwest corner of the property.

So more canopy is coming, and more than 200 trees will remain on school grounds even if HISD proceeds with its plan to eliminate 23 of them.

Guess what else will remain part of the landscape at Sinclair? A cluster of temporary school buildings that have sat behind the main campus for decades. They include a total of 10 classrooms that can accommodate more than 200 students.

So the proposed plan wouldn’t drastically change the character of the campus. It would merely augment what’s already there.

With all that said, some community members have raised valid points about the lack of forward thinking and long-term planning as it pertains to this situation. There are better solutions to the overcrowding problem on some of HISD’s campuses in the

area, and there are much better uses of $3 million.

Another issue that irked community members was their lack of inclusion in the planning process. Sure, those invested in Sinclair could have paid closer attention to school board meetings in late 2019, but school and district leaders also could have made it a point to reach out to impacted families and residents and bring them to the table.

Perhaps that will be the big victory for the neighborhood, even if it loses the fight to save the trees. Timbergrove residents have made it clear they care about their school and community and want to be involved in their progress and development, and I suspect the administrators at Sinclair and HISD will remember that and be more forthcoming and inclusive moving forward.

Communication and the consideration of multiple perspectives is key, and there’s been a lot of that going around in recent days and weeks. The tall trees provided the inspiration for an important community-wide conversation, and all they had to do was stand there, look pretty and soak up sunlight.

Email azuvanich@theleadernews. com

Mask not what you can do for your country THE FRONT HALL – One, two, four, eight. I am counting my face masks. Why? Because they are taking over my home.

On the table by my front door are 11 masks. I put one there to be worn when the Prime delivery person, coughing and sneezing, drops off three Super-Delux 18-Layer PowerMasks. Others just appeared.

There are eight more by the back door and six in my car.

How many face masks do you have? Probably more than you think. There are those in your home, car, office and the 24-hour gym where you go at 3:30 a.m. to avoid crowds, except scores more have the same idea. Doctors and nurses, aides and EMSers always wear a mask, no doubt even when they’re in bed asleep. Do you ever get halfway across a parking lot to a store, in the driving rain, and remember you forgot your mask?

Remember in the beginning of the pandemic, back in March when our President said the COVID-19 virus was “a hoax,” people were caught short when they were suddenly told to mask up. I saw handkerchiefs, bandanas and ski masks over faces. (The guy wearing pantyhose over his head while running from a liquor store doesn’t count.)

Soon we got the hang of it, and more colorful and original

THE READER.

Lynn Ashby Columnist

masks showed up sporting an American flag, pink flowers, a Kleenex -- clipped to the ears with two clothes pins -- and sports logos. I have masks touting the Houston Rockets and the logo of a relative’s business. Sen. Ted Cruz wears a mask showing the Lone Star Flag, but that might be more for disguise than health.

At the beginning of the pandemic, a lot of Americans thought masks were unnecessary, an antifa plot, a government takeover of our faces or were pushed by the same people who think vaccinations are safe. You could easily spot people’s political feelings by their face -- a new meaning for “face recognition.”

Those among us who wore masks were Chardonnaysipping, Tesla-driving leftists who watched MSNBC and read newspapers. Maskless Americans were true patriots who stood up for their Second Amendment rights to carry unconcealed howitzers, top-

pled statues of abolitionists and only watched Fox News.

Even today there are a lot of people who refuse to cover their face. Posts on Facebook, for example, state that masks actually raise the risk of contracting COVID-19. East Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert, who continually embarrasses Texas and got re-elected in November by the cast of “Deliverance,” said he didn’t believe in wearing a mask but had to wear one in the Capitol. Then he came down with COVID-19. He said he caught it from wearing a mask. Social scientists have the antiwearers pin-pointed. A survey found the percentage of folks who report always wearing a mask increases with age, income and education. Democrats are most likely to always wear a mask, with 82 percent reporting the use compared to 66 percent of Republicans and 69 percent of Independents.

Gender plays a role. Women (77 percent) are more likely than men (67 percent) to say “always.”

If you are confused about this matter, no wonder. At the

start of last February, the CDC issued its first formal recommendations on its website, saying that the agency “does not currently recommend the use of face masks among the general public.” Jerome M. Adams, the U.S. surgeon general, tweeted later that month, “Seriously people — STOP BUYING MASKS!” Now everyone in a white lab coat is going on TV to order us to don one. As the saying goes, if one is good, two are better.

How many coverings should we wear? Both New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, Kamala Harris and Joe Biden wear two. Maybe 15 or 20 would be safer.

Which states have the highest and lowest percentage of citizens who want to live?

New research by COVIDcast found Wyoming has the fewest people wearing masks: 65.6 percent. The next-lowest mask states are South Dakota and North Dakota. The Dakotas are also the top two states with the highest numbers of newly reported COVID cases per 100,000 people, and the most newly reported COVID

deaths, although these figures change constantly. Men’s Health magazine found that, at the time of their survey, Massachusetts had the highest percentage of people wearing masks, at 94.87 percent.

This is followed by Maryland, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Vermont. Although not a state, the District of Columbia has the highest levels of compliance, with 97.22 percent. I can’t determine where Texas stands in the rankings, with percentages and graphs.

I think our leaders in Austin use an abacus. Speaking of our leaders, in the new session of the Texas Legislature, in the Senate masks were not required and, during the opening gathering, at least half of lawmakers were maskless while seated at their desks, but House members were required to mask up. Legislators and their guests were required to test negative for COVID-19 before entering the Capitol. All of this, mind you, as infections in Austin reached all-time highs.

Why do so many Americans refuse an obvious and simple

safety measure? Those who study such matters call it “psychological reactance.” Quoting from their studies – some may call this plagiarism, I call it research – there are people who vehemently believe they have freedom to behave how they wish, and “experience negative emotions” when this freedom is threatened. So, when told to wear a mask and socially distance (and wash their hands), anger and other negative emotions follow.

To show their independence from government instructions, many attempt to show their freedom by not complying with the advice. They also carry Confederate flags and steal Nancy Pelosi’s lectern.

I have mixed feelings when I see on TV those masses of shouting, angry demonstrators standing shoulder-toshoulder without masks. One, these poor souls are flouting expert and simple instructions to save their lives. Two, according to all studies, this problem will soon solve itself.

Ashby masks at ashby2@comcast.net

the leader Puzzlers.

Answers found in this week’s Classified section

SUDOKU

Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com

Blocked In The Back - Heights alleys

Dear Editor: I was very interested to read this article. I always thought that alleys were to be kept clean and unobstructed as they were passageways for vehicles in the area, sometimes providing garage access. Blocking an alley destroys its purpose.

What really interested me was the part about the City of Houston flagging the obstructions in the alley behind Mr. Blair’s property for removal in early 2019 and then soliciting feedback from the neighbors about the removal. The neighbors got together, without Mr. Blair, and decided that they didn’t want the obstructions removed “because they did not want business related traffic in a residential area.”

I think that these neighbors have a major misunderstanding about the Heights area. It is not residential, it is mixed use and has been for years. Property use in Houston is established by Deed Restrictions for a given area and the Heights Deed Restrictions were allowed to lapse years ago and not renewed. There is no zoning. One reason I did not buy in the Heights when I had the opportunity (years ago, when it was affordable to buy there) was because I knew that any kind of business could open up anywhere adjacent to my property and there was nothing I could do about it.

So, the neighbors belief that they are living in a residential area is not true. In the Heights, there are business of all types right next to people’s homes, especially near major streets. One reason I never understood why the property values in that area have skyrocketed Please advise if I am mistaken.

Ellen Watkins

The sighs of Texas

Dear Editor: Lynn Ashby misleads his readers, once again. Trump supporters are not claiming “widespread fraud.” What we have contested is strategic fraud in strategic parts of states that swung the election for Joe Biden, who campaigned west of Philadelphia about four times. Biden won 60% of the counties that Senator Obama won in 2008, but curiously managed to gain 15,000,000 more votes than Obama. Biden underperformed Obama in every major city except in strategic states in strategic areas: Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Atlanta, Maricopa County, Detroit, among them. There was an unprecedented number of mail-in ballots which should be requested, not just a mass-mailing endeavor that invites voter harvesting and other nefarious activity that escapes the scrutiny of valid voting of eligible voters.

Unlike four years ago when 67 Democrats refused to attend the Trump Inaugural, the Left has no patience for contesting the 2020 election. The message of tolerance, of free speech, of open-mindedness is met with aggressive hostility. The 100 days of riots in 2020 by the Left were roundly ignored and described by a compliant media as “mostly peaceful,” but not at the Capitol where a day’s riot by a few hundred idiots. They should be held accountable for their law-breaking. I’m certain VP Harris will not endorse efforts to bail out the Capitol rioters.

It’s a “team” thing, not equal application of the law, after all.

So I ask Ashby can explain the distinction between a 30-month investigation of Russian Collusion that we know is provably fraudulent from the start, but to investigate voter integrity with transparency after just 30 to 60 days is irrational. Any objective voter who reviews carefully the 2005 Carter-Baker Commission on Voter Fraud and Integrity will understand that mail-in ballots are an invitation for nefarious actors willing to do anything defeat a Disrupter-In-Chief by any means necessary.

Mike Crowe

aCrOss 1. Angling worm 5. Tissue that conducts food in plants 11. 1937 Steinbeck novella 14. Feed storehouse 15. Raised pattern cotton cloth 18. Prophetic signs 19. Cowboy competitions 21. Ophthalmic products company, ______ Worldwide 23. Prefix meaning inside 24. Arousing or provoking laughter 28. Plant spike 29. Atomic #94 30. Himalayan goat 32. Patti Hearst’s captors 33. Rock TV channel 35. Pen point 36. Tiny bite 39. Organized work group 41. Atomic #58 42. Food fish of the genus Alosa 44. Fleshy slice of meat

46. Shallowest Great Lake 47. Tapered tucks 51. Winter muskmelon 54. Isaac’s mother 56. Picasso’s birthplace 58. Lowest hereditary title 60. Streisand/Reford film 62. Verb states 63. Soluble ribonucleic acid

dOwn 1. Sink in 2. Hairdo 3. Muslim leaders 4. Ringworm 5. Oppresses or maltreats 6. Cut fodder 7. Natural logarithm 8. Not divisible by two 9. Independent Islamic ruler 10. Written proposal or reminder 12. Tilt or slant 13. Nests of pheasants 16. Portable shelters 17. Swiss singing 20. Body of an organism

22. Opposite of “yes” 25. 41st state 26. 007’s Fleming 27. They speak Muskhogean 29. Payment (abbr.)

31. “Spud Papers” author’s initials 34. Large vessel for holding liquids 36. Nanosecond (abbr.)

37. Worn to Mecca 38. 1/100 rupee 40. Of I 43. Distributed cards 45. Public promotion of a product 48. Hard to find 49. Thinks or supposes 50. More lucid 52. Thai monetary unit 53. Phil __, CIA Diary author 55. Dialect variant of “heron” 57. One of the tender bristles in some grasses 58. Pass 59. Hot or iced brewed beverage 61. Equally

WORD SCRAMBLE

Page 4A • Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 • The Leader

Local legion post hosting interfaith program

By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com

American Legion Post 560, located at 3720 Alba Rd. in Garden Oaks, is hosting a Four Chaplains Remembrance Service to honor the four chaplains who sacrificed their lives during the sinking of the U.S. Army Transport Dorchester.

The Four Chaplains Day, enacted by Congress in 1948, is remembered on the first Sunday in February. Post 560’s event will be an interfaith cooperation with music and visual tributes from 3-4 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 7.

When the U.S. Army Transport Dorchester was sinking on Feb. 3, 1943, Lt. George L. Fox (who was Methodist),

Lt. Alexander D. Goode (Jewish), Lt. Clark V. Poling (Dutch Reformed) and Lt. John. P. Washington (Roman Catholic) calmed frightened soldiers and guided disoriented ones to safety. “Many owe their life to the interfaith chaplains,� said Cederic Patterson, the chaplain for American Legion 8th District, which serves the Houston area. “As solders rushed to the lifeboats, they comforted the wounded. They handed out life jackets, and when the life jackets ran out, removed their own life jackets and gave them to four soldiers.�

Patterson also said that as the ship went down, the men in lifeboats saw the four chaplains linked arm-in-arm and

praying. “(The event) is about honoring those faithful individuals, which shows the unity we should have, regardless of faith or race,� Patterson said.

It was a type of unity Patterson said he experienced while serving during the Vietnam War. Patterson, along with Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center chaplain Gregory J. McCrimmon and Post 560’s own chaplain, Gerald “Patrick�

Semien, will be part of the lineup in sharing the story of the four chaplains.

Social distancing and masks will be observed and a small reception will take place after the program.

Photo by Zarah Parker American Legion Post 560, located at 3720 Alba Rd., in Garden Oaks, is hosting an interfaith Four Chaplains Remembrance Service from 3-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7.

Artists announced for new esplanade sculptures

By Adam Zuvanich

with the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Houston Public Works, the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs and the Houston Arts Alliance.

More information about True North and the 2021 lineup of artists can be found at houstonheights.org. True North is on Facebook and Instagram @TrueNorthHeightsBlvd.

azuvanich@theleadernews.com

Eight Texas artists, including four from Houston, will have their sculptures displayed on the Heights Boulevard esplanade later this year.

True North recently announced its 2021 lineup of sculptors for the temporary public art installation, which each year since 2014 has featured eight original works placed along the esplanade.

This year’s sculptures will be displayed from March 15 through Dec. 15.

The participating artists are Houston’s David Adickes, Bill Peck, Cary Reeder and

Anthony Suber

Bill Peck

Cary Reeder

David Adickes

Anthony Suber. Also to be featured are Austin’s Jamie Spinello, Julia Ousley of Dallas, Lubbock’s William Cannings and Danville Chadbourne of San Antonio. “These eight unique works by amazing Texas artists may

be seen from afar, but you’ll want to experience them along the winding, forested trails of the esplanade to truly appreciate the complexity, design, media and luminous imaginations of the artists,�

Chris Silkwood, a True North

co-founder and co-curator, said in a news release.

Other co-curators for True North are Linda Eyles, Simon Eyles and Kelly Simmons, while co-founder Gus Kopriva of Redbud Gallery is the engineering and project con-

sultant. True North is funded through private donations from community members and businesses.

The Houston Heights Association is the nonprofit sponsor for True North, which also collaborates

compared to women who are not pregnant, and pregnant women who are infected might have an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth.

But the CDC also says on its website that available data is limited regarding the safety of both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines when they are administered during pregnancy, and that risks of the vaccines “to the pregnant person and her fetus are unknown because these vaccines have not been studied in pregnant women.�

When asked if she had any reservations about encouraging other pregnant women to receive the vaccine, because of the limited data available, Kamin compared the COVID-19 shots to vaccinations for other illnesses, such as the flu. She also pointed out that

the COVID-19 vaccines do not contain virus particles. “Every woman has the right to, and should, make her own decisions about her body, which is why it’s important to consult with your health care provider about taking the vaccine and understand the science behind it,�

Kamin said. “I have chosen what is right for me, and I am following the guidance of our health care community. I am pleading with women who are pregnant, because of the significant risk COVID can pose, to speak with your provider about getting this to protect yourself and your family.�

Since receiving the vaccine last weekend, Kamin said she and the other women who joined her have been thanked by local residents for drawing attention to the issue.

She also said other pregnant

women who were previously hesitant about getting the vaccine have said they now plan to do so.

Kamin said her office is helping community members at large stay up to date about the vaccine and its distribution, which in Texas is being overseen by the state’s health department. The DSHS allocates doses throughout the state, including to local government agencies such as the Houston Health Department and Harris County Public Health, and the supply has not yet met the demand.

For example, when the Houston Health Department recently opened 1,600 appointment slots for its new drive-thru vaccination site at Delmar Stadium, 2020 Mangum Rd., those slots filled up in a matter of about five minutes.

For Kamin, receiving her first vaccine dose might have been simpler and less painful than navigating health department websites. As for the second dose, which Kamin is scheduled to receive in about three weeks, that remains to be seen. “My arm was a bit sore for a day but more than anything I’m relieved to be one step

ricular offerings. That sentiment was echoed by Shearon, who graduated from Lutheran High North in 1988 and said she is glad her oldest daughter, who is a sophomore, chose to go there as well.

Shearon, who teachers at another private school in Houston, called Lutheran High North a “hidden gem� and said it’s “up with the big boys� even though it might be smaller in terms of size and student body.

Perhaps outside perceptions of the school will change along with its exterior features.

Gerard said he hopes Lutheran High North becomes the “school of choice� within the neighborhood. “Was the building in need of a facelift? Yes, it was,� Shearon

said. “But you can have an absolutely beautiful school, and if what’s going on inside the school is not well, if teachers aren’t teaching, children aren’t learning and it’s not a nurturing environment, then what good is the school? “Lutheran High, they had the inside stuff already,� she added. “They had that for years. But now maybe they’ll make the outside match the inside.�

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Kamin, from P. 1A 1B priority group as outlined by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), which at this point is permitting only members of Phases 1A and 1B to receive the vaccine. Those groups also include frontline healthcare and pharmacy workers, residents and staff of long-term care facilities, first responders, school nurses, people over age 65 and younger people with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness or death from COVID-19.

Kamin said she “did a ton of research� and consulted her healthcare provider before deciding to receive the vaccine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pregnant women are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19

Renovations, from P. 1A members, is expected to be completed by March. The redbrick school building already has been painted, with a charcoal-colored roof and gray siding replacing the previous blue-and-red color scheme, and the front portion of the parking lot has been repaved.

Also in the works is new landscaping in front of the campus, which will be complemented by a lion statue in honor of the Lutheran High North mascot. “It’s exciting. You drive up to a whole fresh look,� said Gerard, who has worked at the school since the 1980s. “I’ve been walking into the same building for 35, 36 years, with the same colors and everything else. Now all of a sudden it’s like, ‘Wow, this is a whole

different place.’ �

Two Lutheran High North parents, Heights resident Joanie Sullivan and Timbergrove’s Fran Shearon, also like the upgrades and said they hope it causes more local families to take notice of the school and consider it as an educational option for their children. Gerard said enrollment has declined in recent years, with Lutheran High North serving 110 students this year.

Sullivan said her two children, one of whom is a recent graduate and the other is a senior, have benefitted from the small, family-oriented environment at Lutheran High North while also being challenged academically and engaged in some of the school’s extracur-

Local business is our business.

closer to protecting myself and my family,� she said. “I’ve heard from others that after the second dose I may feel some expected symptoms the next day, but nothing that could compare to being on a ventilator in a hospital, so I’ll take whatever symptoms I experience in stride.�

Follow Adam Zuvanich on Twitter @AZuvanich

IN MEMORIAM

Jana Michelle Williamson MAY 12, 1965 – JANUARY 24, 2021

•Beloved Wife and Daughter• Jana grew up in Rockport Texas.

In Lieu of flowers, please send donations to The American Cancer Society.

She will be missed.

Condolences sent from all of the World, from Paraguay, Brazil, The Netherlands, Spain, Cyprus, Mexico and all places near and far.

Fresh focus

By Pastor Will Cover

Send your story of interest news@theleadernews.com

Arise Baptist Church 803 Curtin St. Houston TX 77018 713-659-9697 • www.arisebaptistchurch.org

I GET

read an article the other day that said that 85% of Americans are unhappy with the current situation of our country. I find this very interesting because in the midst of all of the political divides this seems to be something that many people can agree on. The purpose of this article is not to try and discuss all of the reasons for the problems that are frustrating t goes without saybut it anyway: “we have all eachsaying, onebut ofI’llus rather to encourage and made mistakes.� As Alexander Pope so aptly put it: “To give a fresh focus on what we should be doing err is human, to forgive, divine.� We should remember this the next we make a mistake.

Most certainly, we intime light of our present situation. must learn from our mistakes, and hopefully not continue One of my favorite psalms is Psalm 23. The to repeat them, but we should also forgive ourselves. While Bible says, “The Lord is mistakes, my shepherd, I shall it can be hard enough to forgive others for their it In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, please check with each church below for updated information about services can sometimes feel almost impossible to forgive ourselves. on to remind not want.�

This psalm continues St. James Lutheran Church, ELCA We sometimes cannot bring ourselves to forgive something Sunday Studies For All Ages ... 9:30am andBible events.

In-person services are temporarily restricted.

God provides forourselves all of our needs, we’ve done,us andthat we may punish and harangue Morning Worship ............... 10:45am • Worship (English) ..... 10:00 am - 11:00am for years, orGod even protects decades, over youthful indiscretions.

In us in times of trouble, and God Wednesday Bible Studies For Youth, Children • Learning Hour ...........

11:00am 12:00pm MANNA addition, some of us may not be able to forget the sins of • Worship (Spanish) .... 12:30 pm - 1:30pm and Adults............................ 6:15pm restores and refreshes us when we are weak.

Sponsor our past. And although that may prevent us from repeating St. James Lutheran Church, ELCA 1602 West 43rd St. • Houston, Tx 77018 • 713-686-1577 I think the illustration of a shepherd with his them, we must be charitable and forgive ourselves, just as 1822 W. 18th • 713-864-1470 we should forgive others.

So, we a should make a real effort in sheep is such good way for us to understand t 8PSTIJQ &OHMJTI BN BN coming days and weeks to forgive the offenses of others Gethsemane Lutheran Church the Weekly Sunday Services our relationship with God. The Lord is my Gethsemane Lutheran Church as well as our own.

Sometimes, it helps to just forget about

BN QN MANNA t -FBSOJOH )PVS • Bible Study: 9:15 a.m.

4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227 Pastor Jerry McNamara them; that is, to try to put them outhis of our mind and stop shepherd.

I am sheep.

A shepherd leads, • Morning:10:30 a.m. t 8PSTIJQ 4QBOJTI

QN QN We invite you to worship with us!

4QPOTPS repeatedly mulling over them. One of the reasons we use • Evening: 4:15• p.m.

4040 Watonga 713-688-5227 Weekly Worship Services 9:00 a.m. protects, and provides for his flock.

The sheep the phrase “forgive and forget� is because sometimes that is 1700 West 43 at Rosslyn Sunday School & Bible Classes 10:30 am 8FTU SE 4U t )PVTUPO 5Y t 713-682-4942 the only waydoesn’t to forgive, have i.e., by forgetting.

But fear far better, and to live in or frustration if he Preschool Program • Mon. - Fri. 9-2 p.m.

We invite you to worship with us!

Pastor – Dr. Richard Walters more divine,will is to be able to forgiveto even while remembering You may not stay close his shepherd.

So, we should let go of those unforgiving, Ad # 32285 Weekly Worship Services 9:00a.mthe . offense.understand everything in get the vindictive, shameful feelings about the past, and overworld around it! Corrie ten Boom, who even survivedif incarceration a Nazi Please Online services be reached Sund visit our website at: you and you do inunderstand it all, Candlelight Church ofcanChrist said, “Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and www.lazybrookbaptistchurch.org for the following: through the website below at 9:00 am. prison campyou don’t need to be frustrated or try to fix Join us for Services to realize that the prisoner was you.�

WedSunday in English or Spanishwww.gethsemanelutheran.org Sunday Services: In-person 9 AM and everyone else. Follow your shepherd. Walk Morning Worship 8:30@ and 11:00 Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn Sunday Worship 10am & 5pm AM (Live stream during AMAdults service) Sunday11 School for Children, Youth11and 9:40 Jesus.

The Lord is my shepherd and your not, andwith you will not be condemned; forgive, Sunday Bible Classes 9am Ministries for From All Ages Bible Studies: Homepage, click on and you will bewill forgiven... shepherd.

He care for you.

Wednesday Bible Study 7pm Home of Johnson Memorial School for Little Children Connect/Small 1822 W. 18th •Rev. 713-864-1470 Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe, Pastor Groups 4215 Watonga Blvd. • 713-681-9365 R.S.V. Luke 6:37

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OVER IT!

The Leader • Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 • Page 5A

Timber, from P. 1A jected cost of more than $3 million. Residents in nearby Timbergrove neighborhoods also are taking their concerns to whomever will listen, and they successfully lobbied for a two-week pause to the plan, starting Jan. 19, while Sinclair and HISD leaders consider feedback from the community.

In a letter to City of Houston officials, Timbergrove resident Bob Choate said the removal of the trees would exacerbate flooding and diminish the beauty of the school and the neighborhood. “(It) flies directly in the face of the city’s green initiative,� he wrote.

Miles Sasser, president of the Timbergrove Manor Civic Club, said the main concern of residents is whether the right thing is being done for the school and the neighborhood. “(Residents) recognize that in 2019 the need for increased capacity at Sinclair was identified, but does the current plan make the most sense?�

Sasser said. “They are asking for a pause to allow everyone to discuss the options and see what solutions we can come up with.�

The current outside configuration includes 10 general classrooms in portable buildings and another auxiliary structure for physical education. Those classrooms include two first-grade classes and four second-grade classrooms in portables that are more than 30 years old. All the thirdgrade classrooms are housed in newer doublewide trailers.

The two new buildings would each contain eight classrooms and one adult restroom.

Also, an additional building

with student restrooms would be installed to the north of the main campus, with Cindy Lane to the north of the new structures.

All second- and third-grade as well as special education classrooms would be moved into the new buildings. There would also be space for teacher planning and parent/student conferences.

At a Jan. 19 town hall meeting, attended by more than 100 people, including HISD School Support Officer Amy Poerschke and HISD General Manager of Facilities Design Daniel Bankhead, Sinclair Principal Lee Mashburn talked about why the school needed to add the buildings now.

This school year, Sinclair opened a new first-grade class and carried a Texas Education Agency waiver for second grade to allow them to accept more than the state-directed student-to-teacher ratio of 22-to-1. Still, Mashburn said Sinclair turned away secondgrade families that tried to enroll after the start of the school year.

From 2018 to present, he said there has been a 70 percent reduction in the number of kindergarten seats being offered to magnet students from outside the school’s attendance zone. In 2022, there will only be five magnet spots for kindergarteners from outside the zone, according to Mashburn.

He projects Sinclair enrollment, now at 589, to top 700 by the 2025-26 school year.

No one argued that the school community wasn’t growing, with some questioning how COVID-19 would affect next year’s enrollment and others

school and has a degree in architecture from Rice University.

She agrees with the need for more space, but is undecided if modular classroom buildings are the correct plan for that need, especially when the cost has been estimated at more than $3 million. “Temporary structures, and the litany of quality issues that come with them, are a concern,� Schaefer said. “However, Daniel Bankhead said in our meeting that these modular classrooms were not intended to be temporary.�

Bankhead distinguished between the older model of temporary buildings and the newer modular buildings that would be added, stressing that while not permanent, they would be more like traditional buildings with secondary doors to classrooms.

He also said that while he wished it weren’t the case, HISD is one of the largest users of temporary buildings and that for now, they are a “necessary evil.�

An assessment of district buildings is underway to determine which schools would get priority if HISD puts forth a bond measure for new construction. The last such bond was in 2012. Bankhead said that schools, like Sinclair with its large number of temporary structures, would be ranked higher on a list of priority schools and that the addition of the new buildings would not work against them. “Ultimately, it is my personal opinion that we have suffered the effects of ‘do your best with limited resources’ for far too long, and the continued

saying the long-term projections were likely much larger with all the high-density housing being added to the area.

A timeline of communication with district leadership was presented which included Mashburn’s appearance at a November 2019 school board meeting to talk about capacity constraints and the quality of existing buildings. Interim superintendent Grenita Lathan visited the campus that month and by December 2019, plans for the two new buildings were submitted and approved by school board. At that time, the facilities department began preliminary work.

Mashburn attributed the subsequent lack of communication with the community to COVID-related disruptions and took responsibility for the lapse. “I failed to realize the scope of the project and at that point I failed to bring in the community and do very much exactly what I’m doing today and talking about the scope of the project (to) get your feedback,� he said.

Mashburn then asked the community to trust that much thought has been given to the placement of the new buildings.

He said an alternate location along the west side of the campus, which faces Ella Boulevard, would call for the removal of 11 trees and affect the school’s soccer and baseball fields while also cutting into the Spark Park.

Concerns include need, placement, flooding Jacki Schaefer is a parent to a first-grade student at the

short-term solutions do not address the substantial growth in the neighborhood and surrounding areas,� Schaefer said. “A fix for today is not a solution for the long term.�

She said she also hoped that HISD would consider an alteration to its plans to include potential other needed spaces, such as a cafeteria. The current lunch day at the school begins at 10:30 a.m. due to space constraints.

And while there may be a need for more buildings, Schaefer disagrees with the planned placement. She sent HISD and school representatives several alternative suggestions that she says reduce the overall impact to the campus, allow for larger-scale and less prevalent floodwater retention, and create opportunities for outdoor class spaces. “I believe the trees are a special part of Sinclair and removing them will make our campus less appealing to prospective families, who are already turned off by our dated and dilapidated existing ‘temporary’ buildings,� she said.

The current temporary buildings are also a sticking point, with parents asking Mashburn why they are being kept if they are not suitable to be classrooms anymore, with one parent saying that Mashburn had earlier talked about the “rotting door and sub floors.�

Mashburn clarified that the buildings have not been deemed unsafe, but they are in constant need of repair. He said even if they replaced the old buildings with new buildings, they would still have a space problem, and that the

older buildings might be used for after-school care. “I don’t understand why the buildings are good from 3-6 p.m. but not 7 a.m.-3 p.m.,� Riley said.

Because of permitting requirements, the HISD facilities department said new retention areas would need to be created, leading parents to ask about the loss of potential play space and the concern of longstanding water. Bankhead told the town hall participants that the new retention space would be designed to hold water for 24 hours only.

The meeting ended with a promise from the principal and HISD officials to pause the project for two weeks for more discussion. Any further delay, according to the facilities staff, would push the project past the fall of 2021.

Riley hopes the school district listens to the community. “It’s never too late to do the right thing but in the case of these mature trees, there is a point of no return when it is too late,� she said.

Schaefer said the silver lining to the issue was having an involved community and school administration. “It is a unique and rare blessing,� she said. “We may not currently agree on the best methods, but it is heartwarming to know that the various groups involved are trying to better Timbergrove as a community. Such large changes will not come without discourse and creating processes to review and move forward will certainly be beneficial for all.�

Follow us on social media @FromTheLeader

Appointments from P. 1A Phase 1B group includes adults over age 65 as well as people who are at least 16 and have at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness or death, such as cancer, kidney disease, heart conditions, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease and Type 2 diabetes.

Residents who show up to the

vaccination site without confirmed appointments will be turned away, according to the health department.

Appointments are only confirmed upon receipt of an email or text message, and confirmation numbers will be verified at the vaccination site.

The health department said it received 9,000 doses Jan. 22 and, in addition to administering them

at Delmar Stadium this week, it planned to vaccinate approximately 900 people who were turned away two weeks ago at Minute Maid Park.

The health department also said it would fulfill existing appointments at Bayou City Event Center along with its health centers and multiservice centers. The department also planned to transfer 800 doses to other providers.

The city said those who have received their first dose of vaccine through the health department will be contacted about scheduling their second dose before the recommended due date, which for the Moderna vaccine is 28 days after receiving the first dose. “We understand the anxiety about the second dose and appreciate everyone’s patience as we con-

tinue working together to achieve the largest mass vaccination effort ever,� Stephen Williams, director of the health department, said in a news release. “Please be assured that if you were vaccinated by the Houston Health Department, we will reach out to you within the appropriate timeframe to schedule your second dose.�

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The Leader • Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 • Page 7A

Art Valet: Scarpetta’s sculptures worth their weight in bronze Mitch Cohen Art Columnist

Have you ever wondered about who creates bronze sculptures seen in public parks, memorials and, of course, museums? Bronze has that timeless quality about it, and even has its own designation in history with the “Bronze Age.” Shirley Scarpetta is a bronze sculptor specializing in monumental-sized sculpture as well as desktop and commissioned pieces. Scarpetta isn’t in the history books yet, but she is working on that. Her work has made it to the public realm and after several years of sporadic communication via email, we finally met in person a few weeks ago.

Scarpetta hails from New Jersey but arrived in Texas

early enough to say her heart belongs here. Her parents are Colombian with Italian ancestors, hence the last name.

Before becoming a full-time sculptor, Scarpetta worked as a personal and business banker and then as a teller supervisor and manager. Then she was a stay-at-home mom.

Art Valet: Tell me about your art background?

Scarpetta: “I always loved the arts. Everything about it fascinates me to no end. I started back in 2007 when my oldest son was soon to graduate from college and I needed to find myself. I applied to my local community college for pottery, and as soon as I touched clay, there was this extreme energy and joy and a harmonious dance that aligned my reason for living.

It has saved me during some very difficult moments of my life and also given me some of my greatest opportunities.

I’ve met incredible people throughout my career, and for

Contributed photo Shirley Scarpetta poses with her with “Venus of Venice” sculpture.

that, I am forever grateful.”

AV: What are you doing now?

Scarpetta: “I am currently working on a life-size doctor in front of a hospital and soon another fireman. I will be a guest artist at First Saturday Arts Market in the Heights so I’m really excited about that.

My goal is to be recognized as one of the best sculptors in the world and keep sculpting people and things of significance.

Legacy makers remind us to be kind and good and leave something great for others to be proud of.”

I like how she followed being a guest at my market with being a world-recognized sculptor! My final question to Scarpetta, as I’ve posed to many other artists, was about sharing one story that would surprise our readers and her friends.

I like Scarpetta’s answer.

“I was once a test barn tech at Sam Houston race track for a season,” Scarpetta said.

“I worked with some of the best vets in the country and aided in taking blood samples and urine samples after the top-winning horses ran their races. These were athletes, and as such were treated with respect. Although they were young and wild, we had to calm them down and make them comfortable to relax so we could do our duties. It was an exhilarating position and very dangerous, but somehow they could feel my love and admiration for them. I was called at one point a horse whisperer. I had never been around horses, ever. I loved that they could feel my soul.”

Find Scarpetta at www. sculptorscarpetta.com and follow her on Instagram @shirleyscarpettasculptor.

Cohen is an artist and founder of the First Saturday Arts Market and the Market at Sawyer Yards. Find him at ArtValet.com for additional highlights and artist’s stories.

REVIEW:

Savor every bite at quaint Heights restaurant

By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com

The gray brick building on the corner of Yale Street and 14th Street houses the quaint restaurant Savoir.

I noticed two things right away when I pulled open the wide glass door at the front entrance to the restaurant: The space has three different inside seating areas, separated by glass windows, plus a patio, and there was a good amount of people dining for a Tuesday night.

Each space seemed to be designed to give patrons a different experience. At the entrance is the bar area with booth seating, perfect for grabbing drinks with friends.

Then the path leads into an area of log booths with tables and chairs on the other side.

This is where I had dinner, and I thought the dim lighting and candle lit on the table gave the space a relaxed atmosphere.

The next space was surrounded by glass walls and a little more brightly lit. The

tables boast of nice comfortable chairs and looked like a space I’d love to have brunch in. The patio allowed for a laidback space ideal for ordering the burger or brisket grilled cheese.

While the setting of Savoir seems upscale, I also think it’s a place where anyone would feel comfortable.

I started my dinner off with a mocktail. The Heights Bramble is blackberries, botanicals, lemon and Topo Chico. What I loved about it was that even though it was a fruit drink, it didn’t taste overly fruity or sweet. The blackberry was present, but slightly muted due to the botanicals.

The Roasted Hummus served as the appetizer. It was butternut squash and chickpea hummus with za’atar, mint, preserved lemon and house flatbread.

The butternut squash gave the hummus an earthy, nutty flavor. The flatbread was amazing. Part of it was crispy and other parts soft and dense.

There was a sprinkling of salt

over the top that had me constantly reaching for the bread.

For dinner I ordered the Basil Pesto, which is house-made spaghetti, basil pesto and preserved lemon.

The noodles were dense and had absorbed the basil pesto. Every bite was full of flavor, which was really rich in herbs, as well as salt from the cheese included in the pesto.

The portion size didn’t seem like much, but I ended up taking enough home for lunch the next day.

As much as I enjoyed the Basil Pesto dish, I was really hooked by the dessert, of which my tablemate and I ordered two to share. I don’t recommend doing that, because one dessert was more than enough to share.

One dessert was the Cinnamon Sugar Cronuts, which are filled with rum and bananas foster cream. And the cronuts rest on a layer of Nutella.

The dough on the cronuts had a similar taste to the flatbread, just covered in cinnamon sugar and filled with the

Cooking with cast iron comes with benefits Zarah Parker Managing Editor

The first time I used a cast iron skillet was more than a year ago to bake homemade cornbread.

Since then I’ve played around with cooking different things in it. And the more I use it, the more I hate using any other skillet.

I’ve discovered that for me, not only does food seem to taste better, it’s easier to cook.

For example, it might be a little embarrassing to admit, but I used to have such a difficult time cooking chicken on a regular skillet. It would brown too quickly or not quickly enough.

I think that had more to do with the heat source, and I was constantly having to adjust the burner.

When I switched to making chicken in my cast iron, the first thing I realized was I didn’t have to worry about adjusting the heat, which made me think the skillets might absorb the heat differently. But then I learned that cast iron doesn’t heat evenly. But once it’s hot, it’s hot, which makes it great for something like searing steak.

I’m a firm believer in using cast iron and I think every home should have at least one.

Cast iron will last a really long time if it’s taken care of properly. It’s something that can be passed down from generation to generation. And since it gets better and better with use, the secondhand cast

Photo by Zarah Parker Pictured is chicken in lemon butter sauce cooked in a cast iron skillet.

iron is better than a new one.

And even if the cast iron isn’t properly taken care of, restoration is not out of the question.

What some people may not realize about cast iron is that it can naturally become nonstick when seasoned correctly, meaning users can eliminate oils or butter if they wish.

One way of seasoning a cast iron pan is to wipe it down with a cooking oil. Then bake it upside down in the oven at 350 degrees for an hour. Let it cool completely before removing it. Make sure to put something below the skillet to catch the oil that may drop off.

Another benefit to using cast iron is that it’s chemical free, making it a great alternative to other pans, especially ones touted as non-stick.

Cooking with cast iron also adds iron to your food, which is most useful to people who have an iron deficiency.

When it comes to cleaning

cast iron, I found there are different opinions. Some use warm water to clean. Then there are people who own cast iron that’s never touched soap or water.

I can’t say my cast iron has never touched water, but I know never to use any soap.

Depending on what’s been cooked, it’s likely that everything in the pan can be wiped out easily. After cleaning, dry the pan and heat over medium to low heat until there is no moisture in the pan. Then lightly oil it with a paper towel until it looks dark and smooth.

If the cast iron pan develops rust, just scrub it away and season it again.

Some good oils to use on your cast iron include flaxseend, sunflower, soybean, corn or canola.

Just think, with a little work on a cast iron skillet, there would never be a reason to buy another.

cream. Biting into it was like eating cinnamon toast with sweet banana cream. I loved the combination of cinnamon and banana.

The only downside to this dessert is that after eating an appetizer and dinner, it felt heavy because of the breading.

The other dessert was the Paris Éclair, which debuted on the menu the night I picked to dine at Savior. Lucky me!

It’s made with pâte à choux, a type of pastry, espresso mousseline, chocolate chips, caramel drizzled on top and cocoa powder sprinkled around it.

The pastry in this dessert did the opposite of the cronuts. It made the dessert feel light, which made me feel like I could eat more of it. The espresso mousseline was my favorite part. It added a coffee flavor without overpowering the whole thing.

While the dessert had chocolate chips, I will admit my chocolate-loving taste buds wanted more chocolate incorporated.

Photo by Zarah Parker Roasted Hummus, made with butternut squash, chickpeas, za’atar mint and preserved lemon is an appetizer option at Savior.

With Valentine’s Day coming up, I’d say Savoir would turn out to be a pretty great spot for a date night. Just don’t let the small parking lot deter you.

Savoir

Address: 1344 Yale St. Hours: 1-9 p.m. Tuesday-

Thursday, 1-10 p.m. Friday, 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 10:30-9 p.m. Sunday Pricing: $11-$43 Kid-friendly: No Alcohol: Yes Healthy options: Yes Star of the show: Paris Éclair Follow us on social media @FromTheLeader

FOOD BRIEFS:

Taco Stand open on Shepherd

By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com

Chef Matthew Pak and partner Shawn Bermudez opened The Taco Stand at 2018 N. Shepherd Dr. in the Heights on Wednesday morning.

The Taco Stand’s menu centers around traditional street-style meats such as pastor, barbacoa, lengua and carnitas, along with fish, shrimp a variety of vegan and vegetarian options.

Patrons will have the option of having these proteins and vegetables prepared in a taco, burrito, quesadilla or bowl. The menu also boast of five different Photo by Christa Elyce Studio salsas and house-made corn and Mastrantos, 927 Studewood St., has new brunch offerings. flour tortillas.

The Taco Stand will also offer red onions and white Venezuton Avenue. agua frescas, canned margaritas elan cheese; Trini Doubles, which Construction for its new conand palomas, frozen margaritas, comes with house brioche, curry cept Buffalo Heights Bier Garten Mexican and domestic beers and garbanzo, passion fruit chutney; has begun and is expected to soft drinks. and Shrimp Aguachile, which is open early this summer. The new All cocktails are made with shrimp with aji amarillo, avobeer garden will be similar to 100 percent Blue Agave Tequila cado, red onion and watermelon The Kirby Group’s Heights Bier and will be available for dine-in, rinds.

Garten, 1433 N. Shepherd Dr. drive-thru and to-go service.

“Everyone’s used to cheese The property on Washington The Taco Stand will be open boards by now. Usually they Avenue will also feature a small Sunday through Thursday from have European cheeses, cured house that will be home to 6 a.m.-10 p.m. and 6 a.m.-midmeat from Italy or France along Emma Jane Bakery as well as a night Friday and Saturday. with sweet and savory elebutcher house. ments,” Castillo said in a new New brunch offerings release. “We took the same Stomping Grounds signs at Mastrantos concept and went a different latest tenant Mastrantos, 927 Studewood direction in which different Cherry Block Craft Butcher + St., recently debuted new brunch cultures are highlighted. Cheeses Kitchen is closing its Bravery offerings that incorporate such as South American queso Chef Hall location and venturing Venezuelan, Spanish, Mexican, de mano, Latin American queso out into Garden Oaks.

Italian and Houstonian flavors Oaxaca and Southeast Asian Cherry Block Craft Butcher and methods of cooking. paneer as well as a variety of + Texas Kitchen will join the Owners Mari and Xavier North American cheese will be Stomping Grounds development Godoy and executive chef Tony represented.” in Garden Oaks this summer.

Castillo drew inspiration from Castillo also said the Barbacoa Spain’s tapas tradition to create Cachapa may remind guests a brunch menu with dishes that New spread at Dolce of eating Texas chili with cornare shareable and adventurous.

Neve bread.

New food items include the Dolce Neve Gelato, 4721 N. New drink options include Global Cheese Board, which Main St., released a new spread assorted mimosa carafes, an comes with grilled arepa, grilled avocado margarita and a passion this week. After previously havnaan, assorted rotating global ing success with its hazelnut fruit mojito. cheeses, cured meats, housespread, the shop has developed pickled nopales, house aji amaa pistachio spread.

Coming soon to rillo jam, green olives and baked The spread is made with Washington Avenue chickpeas; Barbacoa Cachapa, organic pistachios, extra virgin The hospitality company The which are Venezuelan corn panolive oil, cane sugar and maldon Kirby Group is busy on Washingcakes with barbacoa, cilantro, sea salt.

THE PUBLIC. The Leader • Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 • Page 8A

HPD officer wounds Independence Heights shooting suspect

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Houston police said one of its officers shot and wounded a man in Independence Heights on Monday afternoon after the man allegedly shot one person and later opened fire on officers.

The Houston Police Depart-

ment said the suspect who was shot, a black man in his mid40s, was in critical condition as of Tuesday. The suspect is accused of shooting a 29-yearold man who later died at an area hospital, according to police.

HPD Executive Assistant Chief Troy Finner said during a Monday press briefing that

officers responded to the 8500 block of North Main Street in Independence Heights just before 2:30 p.m. Monday. According to Finner, two people were sitting in their car talking when the suspect allegedly walked up to them and opened fire, striking the man who later died.

A short time later, Finner

Authorities investigating porch theft in Heights

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Police are looking into a weekend burglary involving front porch furniture at a Heights home.

The Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office said in a crime alert to community

members that its deputies responded to a theft call in the 2000 block of Columbia Street just before 9 a.m. last Sunday.

According to the constable’s office, the homeowner told investigators that the home’s Ring doorbell surveillance camera recorded a suspect, described only as a white

male, who walked up to the house and stole two chairs and a table from the front porch at around 4 a.m. Sunday.

The suspect then left the scene in a white SUV that had a dark-colored right front quarter panel, according to the constable’s office.

LELAY CIR

Theft 6 PM 1600 BLOCK STUDEWOOD Theft 11 AM 1800 BLOCK BONNER Robbery 11 AM 2000 BLOCK YALE Theft 6 AM 3500 BLOCK YALE Theft 4 PM 4100 BLOCK EIGEL Burglary 9 PM 4500 BLOCK N SHEPHERD

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Theft 12 PM 4100 BLOCK BLUEGRASS Theft 4 PM 300 BLOCK GARDEN OAKS BLVD Burglary 9 AM 1000 BLOCK ALLSTON Other 8 PM 1800 BLOCK AIRLINE Theft 8 PM 800 BLOCK E 39TH Theft 11 PM 854.5 WAKEFIELD Burglary 9 PM 200 BLOCK E CROSSTIMBERS

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Officers returned fire, Finner said, wounding the suspect. He said the officer, a fouryear veteran of HPD’s North Division, has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Harris County District Attorney’s office and HPD’s Internal Affairs division.

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said the suspect allegedly entered a nearby convenience store and pointed a gun at several bystanders before fleeing the scene on foot and firing multiple shots in the air.

When officers later spotted him in the 100 block of East 44th Street, Finner said the suspect allegedly fired toward them after being asked to drop

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THE LEADER. OF DEAL THE WEEK

Health Health H e a l t h Essentials Essentials Community working out Essentials vaccination kinks The Leader • Saturday, January 30, 2021 • Page 1B

By Betsy Denson

betsy@theleadernews.com

As an immunocompromised person, Ella Lee Forest’s Katherine Griffith was highly motivated to get her COVID-19 vaccination. Her elderly parents are also staying with her and she wanted to get them protected as well.

So when a friend with an immunocompromised husband told her about his successful experience with Legacy Community Health, Griffith got on the website. She did not have luck initially, but she continued to refresh her browser and reenter her mother’s name.

“Suddenly she was in (at the Montrose clinic),” Griffith said.

Griffith also made an appointment for her dad soon after. It was still another couple of hours, though, before she could get one for herself at Legacy’s Beaumont clinic.

Still, she was happy to take it.

“It was really well-run,” Griffith said.

After a month of available vaccines for priority groups, Houston’s healthcare entities are still working out the kinks.

One of those involves creating an equitable way to distribute and administer the vaccine.

“Getting a COVID-19 vaccine shouldn’t be like the Hunger Games,” Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said.

To that end, Harris County started a waitlist this week at ReadyHarris.org for qualifying people who want to get the shot. But early in the week, the site was down due to technical difficulties.

Dr. James McCarthy, executive vice president and chief physician executive of the

dline

25th - 5:00 PM es August 29th

On August 29th The Leader will publish a special section on Local Healthcare.

We will print the local doctors, dentists, nurses and health professionals that are open and spotlight essential healthcare.

This is your opportunity to let our readers know about your business and how it is operating during these times.

On August 29th The Leader will publish a special section on Local OnHealthcare.

August 29th were filled through a registraWe The will Leader print the local will tion linkpublish on Memorial Hermann’s Facebook page. doctors, dentists, nurses a special section “We willon continue to receive shipments from the state as andLocal healthHealthcare. they are available and distributed, however, we do not We will print the local professionals that know are from week-to-week how many doses we will receive,” doctors, dentists, nurses open and spotlight McCarthy said.

“We have been working and health essential healthcare. on our distribution plan for months andare we are eager to professionals that vaccinate as many people andopportunity spotlight as we can,” he added. “The Thisopen is your amount of vaccine we are reessential healthcare. ceiving has been the biggest to let our readers know roadblock so far. We are disabout your business and as fast as we tributing vaccine receive it. We have the capacThis is your opportunity how it is operating ity to vaccinate more people, but it all depends on supply.” to let our readers know during these times.

McCarthy encourages patience on the part of the pubabout your business and lic.

“There has never been a how it is operating time in medical history where Full Page -in$1500 during theseeveryone times. the public wants

the same thing at the same Half Page - $800 time,” he said.

“We know everybody is eager to receive the vaccine,-but it’s going to 1/4 FullPage Page -$450 $1500 take some time for us to get Full Page - $1500 Contributed photo to everyone. There are some A healthcare professional from Harris CountyAd Public Health administers a COVID-19 vaccine to another frontline healthcare worker. Finding Deadline Half $800 3 xPage 5people - $275 8 million in- the Housways to receive the vaccine, even for those who are eligible, has proven difficult as supply has yet to meet demand.

Half Page - $800 ton area and if we vaccinate a -day, it will 1/4 $450 350,000 xPage 3people - $150 cilities, first responders, school additional populations will be The hospital has also been take us until at least SeptemMemorial Hermann Health 1/4 Page $450 over age 65 and determined by continued August 25th - 5:00 PMvac- selected by the state of Texas berxto3get4xto-everyone.”

System, talked to The Leader nurses, people Ad Deadline 5 - $275 $110 about how things are going. younger people with at least cine supply and operational to serve as a vaccine hub. Be- 2 Heights resident Viula 3 x 5 $275 one chronic medical condilogistics. It is important to coming a hub allows Memo- Torgerson in group 1B got Memorial Hermann Greater Hermann to open upCard addi- her Size Heights Hospital, 1635 North tion that puts them at risk for note that this process will take rial 3 x 3- through -$60 $150 vaccination HarBusiness Publishes 29th complications from August some time to get through, like- tional opportunities for those ris County Public Health at Loop West, was a recipient 3 ofx 3serious $150 - 5:00 PMwithin the state’s 1A and 1B Minute2 Maid COVID-19. August 25th ly several months.” more than 1,300 doses. x 4Park.- Torgerson $110 “Keeping in mind our limMcCarthy said Memorial phases to schedule a vaccine learned He said Memorial Hermann about the Twitter link 2 x 4 $110 ited availability of vaccine, Hermann has received and appointment with a focus on is following the state guidto sign up on the website from through Phase distributed both the Moderna making Business the vaccine availableCard ance for COVID-19 vaccine we are movingPublishes a friend. Size - $60 August 29th Business Card Size - $60 distribution, which prioritizes vaccination in its Phase 1A and Phase 1B groups. Those are frontline healthcare and pharmacy workers, residents and staff of long-term care fa-

1B in waves, working our way and Pfizer vaccines. to the hardest-hit zip codes through carefully andCovering diligentThe week of Jan. 14, Meand demographics. the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston Memorial Hermann’s secly until we’ve offered vaccina- morial Hermann was able to tion to all within the phase,” vaccinate 14,000 people in ond drive-thru clinic at NRG McCarthy said. “The speed at their first public drive-thru Park was scheduled to take place Thursday. Appointments which we can move through vaccine clinic.

“There were entire METRO buses of elderly receiving vaccinations,” she said. “So, there must be other mechanisms (for notifications) at work as well.”

To advertise call 713-686-8494 Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston

g the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston

To advertise call 713-686-8494 Detox from digital devices for better mental health

ertise call 713-686-8494

By Betsy Denson

“It’s amazing how much that makes it easier to stay away,” she said.

Julia Gratzer said she feels like arguments over screen time with her kids have been harmful to their relationship.

“I feel defeated somewhat because they have to be on screens all day for school, and it’s a way to connect with a group of friends while they are restricted from seeing each other in person,” she said.

However, recently the family bought a small safe, like you might see in a hotel room.

“I put all the electronics in there at night,” she said. “It’s helpful because it removes all temptation and stops my 13-year-old from sneaking.”

betsy@theleadernews.com

It might not surprise you to know that in the past decade, the time spent on Facebook, Instagram and other social media networks rose. So did the rates of anxiety, depression and suicide among youths and adults alike, according to Mariam Wahby, a licensed marriage and family therapist and education specialist in behavioral health services at Memorial Hermann Health System who addressed the topic on the hospital’s health and wellness website.

“They’re fine when they connect us — as long as they don’t disconnect us,” Wahby wrote.

Her post cites a study from the Pew Research Center that says every day, three-fourths of 18- to 24-year-olds hang out on Instagram and threefourths of 18- to 64-yearolds migrate to Facebook.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry says that on average, girls spend more than an hour per day playing video games and boys spend more than two hours, with teens of both sexes exceeding that amount.

It’s no wonder that lately, I have heard a number of people say they want to unplug in 2021. Or they want to wean their kids off their screens. Or both. Because I am a big believer in the wisdom of the village, I asked around for advice and got a lot of great tips to share.

Set the parameters Laura Jackson said her family has recently started a 30-day “no video games” program, which includes not watching other people play them on YouTube. She was motivated in part by reading how too much screen time can reduce frontal lobe function in children.

“It will be my responsibility to offer and engage with (them) in other activities,” Jackson said.

Andrea Hindi noticed her daughter was having trouble sleeping.

“Now, an hour before bed,

Stock photo Several area residents shared their experiences with attempting to reduce digital screentime for themselves and their families. Too much time on social media can negatively impact mental health, according to a licensed family therapist for Memorial Hermann Health System.

she is completely screenless in order to let her brain slow down and prepare for rest,” Hindi said.

Jennifer Scogin noted that because her son is in virtual school, screen time means something different.

“However, our rule has always been, no screens on weekdays and a four-hour limit each day on weekends,” she said. “That is still the rule, so no Switch, iPad/

iPhone games, Netflix or YouTube on weekdays,” she said.

Scoggin also sets a limit for herself.

“Once I hit two hours per day it turns off,” she said.

“Other than that, it’s difficult because as a graphic designer my work is on a screen.

I do try to make a point to not check email or do work projects on the weekend. I also do not have email no-

tifications on my devices. I only check email when I am on my laptop, so it has to be intentional to check it.”

Remove the temptation Bubba Monroe said that removing Facebook from his phone has been a big help.

“If you want to check (it), this forces you to use a computer and you don’t check as much,” he said. “Instagram isn’t on the laptop, so it’s all

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or none. You can delete the app from your phone and reinstall later and you don’t lose anything.”

Marie Kellner also removed Facebook from her phone.

Make time online purposeful Bianca Broman makes the point that all digital content is not detrimental. She is trying to use online resources to further her hobbies.

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Page 2B • Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 • The Leader

County launches online waitlist for vaccine

By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

Houston-area residents who want to receive the COVID-19 vaccine but have so far been unsuccessful can join an online waiting list launched Tuesday by Harris County Public Health (HCPH).

HCPH said in a news release that its “Smart Waitlist” system will not use a firstcome, first-served process but will instead prioritize eligible registrants and then select them at random to receive the vaccine at a county-sponsored site. The HCPH website says it is acting as a safety net provider, and that wait times could be weeks or months, so it encourages residents with other opportunities to receive the vaccine to take advantage of them.

Community members can sign up for the waiting list by visiting readyharris.org or https://vacstrac.hctx.net, or by calling 832-927-8787.

HCPH said all residents are welcome to join the waiting list, but only those in Phase 1A or 1B as outlined by the Texas Department of State Health Services are eligible to receive the vaccine at this time.

Those included in Phase 1A are healthcare workers, pharmacy workers, residents and staff of long-term care facilities, first responders and school nurses. The Phase 1B group includes adults over age 65 as well as people who are at least 16 and have at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness or death, such as cancer, kidney disease, heart conditions, chronic obstruc-

tive pulmonary disease, obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease and Type 2 diabetes.

Within its online waiting list, HCPH said eligible registrants will be prioritized by age group, with higher priority given to people who are older. Once selected to receive the vaccine, registrants will be contacted with instructions for scheduling a vaccination time and location.

As of Monday, HCPH said it had vaccinated more than 27,000 people since December.

“As more supply of vaccine becomes available, HCPH will continue to ensure allocation and administration of vaccines are done in ways that are efficient, fair and equitable, and that vulnerable communities have equal access to vaccines,” HCPH said.

and reading physical books as well as playing cards and taking walks.

“I’m a work in progress,” she said.

Aleksa Pilc says that once all the devices are in a closet, she and her kids plan nights of family games, reading, playing outside and whatever else they want to do.

“They complain at first, (but) as the day goes on, they forget about their devices,” she said. “We always have

more fun together on those days. I cherish them.”

As someone who makes his living as a “computer person,” Edward Ferguson finds it hard to detox.

He said his off switch is triggered by wife, LaTrice, when the family travels to places where there is no Internet. “(It) takes about a week to get used to it,” he said.

Contributed photo A healthcare professional with Harris County Public Health administers a COVID-19 vaccine to a community member. The county health department has set up an online waiting list for the vaccine.

Detox, from P. 1B YouTube class on how to use Adobe Spark and you’ll want to step away when it’s done and get some fresh air.

Or when your fingers start hurting from practicing your guitar with Tony from Tony’s Acoustic Session Online, you’ll be happy to go outside and catch a breeze.”

Substitute other activities Anneke Self says she’s started doing puzzles again

Stock photo Activities such as reading a book can provide mental breaks from the use of technological devices.

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The Leader • Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 • Page 3B

Why does my dog tilt her head when I talk? though they know exactly what you’re saying! There is a good chance that your dog is understanding SOME of the words that you’re saying to her, but there is also a physiological explanation for what is going on when your dog tilts her head at you.

Dear Tabby, Why does our dog tilt her head at us when we speak to her? It’s super cute, but I’m sure it also has a practical explanation.

Head Tilter in Timbergrove Dear Head Tilter, You’re correct on both accounts: Your dog’s head tilt IS super cute and it does have an explanation. There aren’t many things cuter than a dog perking their ears and tilting their head at you when you speak to them. It’s almost as

Physiological explanations According to veterinarians, the muscles in your dog’s ear are controlled by the same part of the brain that controls her facial expressions and head movement. So, when your pooch cocks her head when you speak, she is trying her best to understand the words that you are saying.

Your dog is also tilting her head to show you that she’s attentive and very interested to hear what you have to say.

Studies show that social dogs are more likely to do the cute head tilt in order to continue human interaction with you.

Getting a better view Dogs understand humans more when they can see their faces, since they pick up on more than just voices.

They also rely on facial expressions and body language to understand humans. Some veterinarians believe the head tilt helps a dog to get a better full view of the human face, by attempting to see around their muzzle. Tilting their head actually broadens a dog’s range of vision and helps them to see a whole face at once.

Sometimes indicates medical problem If you ever see your dog persistently holding her head

to the side (which looks a bit different than a head tilt), have your vet take a look.

Sometimes when a dog is experiencing ear pain, due to infection or other ear ailments, they might hold their head to the side and this definitely warrants a trip to the vet for a checkup.

The good news is your dog’s head tilts are probably nothing more than an indication of her love and adoration for you. When she tilts her head when you’re speaking to her, she is hanging on your every word and probably hoping that what you’re saying includes the words “treat,” “walk” or simply, “GO!” Do you have a question for Tabby? Email her at deartabby questions@gmail.com.

LHN hosts tryout for new pro hoops team

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Dozens of basketball players tried out with the hope of continuing – or even starting – their professional careers last Saturday inside a local high school gym.

They will have another shot do so in March, and they might even wind up playing in their own backyard.

More than 20 hopefuls gathered inside Lutheran High North at 1130 W. 34th St. last Saturday morning for tryouts for the Houston Push of The Basketball League. The independent pro team will be coached by former Houston Rockets guards Steve Francis and Moochie Norris, with Francis also serving as the team’s owner.

“It’s a good opportunity for these young men to grow and get better, and basketball teaches you a lot of things both on and off the court,” Norris said. “I think that’s why it’s so important, and bringing it to the community and being able to touch these guys is awesome.”

The 35-team TBL, which is entering its fourth season, held tryouts locally to find players

for its first Houston team that will begin play in a 24-game season on April 9. There will be another chance for local players who want to try out, according to Norris, that will again take place at LHN in late March.

“The goal is to give more opportunities to more young men – that’s more communities that we can impact and more young lives we can touch,” league president David Magley said. “We want these guys to use their celebrity for more than being famous. …

If we do it the right way and impact the community, there’s a lot of value in what we do.”

The team has not yet secured a regular home venue for practices and games. Its 12 home games could potentially be played at Lutheran High North depending on COVID-19 protocols in the city and region, according to Magley.

“If it’s feasible, we’d love to have them,” LHN girls basketball coach John Slomcheck said.

Magley said Francis, a former NBA All Star with the Rockets, reached out with an interest in leading a team several months ago. From there, it was a matter of picking a staff

and a location for tryouts and games – which incidentally led to the selection of LHN, a spot Norris said is a known commodity in the local basketball world.

“It’s one of those familiar places where people play basketball,” said Norris, who has previously played both AAU ball and in community adult leagues at the adjacent community center near the school.

“We knew this was a basketball community over here. …

It’s a hot spot for basketball in the city of Houston.”

Slomcheck said he knew Francis and Norris from past interactions around Houston.

So when they contacted him about utilizing the school’s gym for the tryouts and potentially league games, he said he jumped at the opportunity.

“It sounds like they’re trying to do some really good things.

You always want to help out people when you can. Steve is a good guy that’s overcome his own issues and battles and is doing well. You just want to help out those who have helped other kids,” Slomcheck said. “It was an easy answer as long as we can do it inside protocols. Any time we can get somebody from Houston

on our campus and can help them out a little bit, we will.

We try to be a school for the community.”

Norris said he and Francis have both endured highs and lows and want to provide the same opportunity they were given to overcome those struggles for a shot at a dream.

Even the team name, the Houston Push, is an allusion to such a goal.

“Steve chose that name based on going through some hard times before we go to basketball, then even during and after our careers,” Norris said. “You’re just trying to push through every obstacle that presents itself to you as a walk through life.”

Local community members wishing to throw their hat in the ring for a shot at professional ball can contact Mohamed Kamara at hobohpush@gmail.com about the second tryout at LHN in March.

“Instead of being takers all the time, I’m big on ‘What can you do to help people out,’” Slomcheck said. “It’s exciting have a past star do well in the area. And if it takes a little extra help from us, that’s what we’re going to do.”

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Page 4B • Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 • The Leader

Eagles keep pace in District 23-4A hoops race

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Despite playing in the same district as a traditional state power, the Booker T. Washington High School boys basketball team has refused to bow out of the District 23-4A district race. The Eagles have managed to keep their district-title hopes alive heading into the regular season’s final month.

Washington had another strong week with wins over Kashmere and Furr last week, staying within striking distance of district-leading and state-ranked Yates and running its season-long winning streak to six games.

Kenneth Lewis had 42 points and 18 rebounds for the Eagles in the 104-85 win over Kashmere on Jan. 19, while Caleb Calestine added 16 points and eight assists.

Lewis (18 points), Darius Potts (17 points) and Calestine (11 points) paced them on Jan. 22 against Furr in a game that came down to the final minute.

The Eagles (12-8, 9-2 district) sit in second place in 23-4A and are scheduled to play Worthing this Saturday.

Washington then faces another matchup with the Yates on Feb. 2 as the Eagles look to avenge their only two district losses.

In other boys action, Waltrip defeated Houston Austin 71-41 on Jan. 19, but fell to Northside 70-55 on Jan. 22.

The Rams (7-5, 4-3) were scheduled to play Sterling on Wednesday.

Marvin Robinson led Lutheran High North to an 88-53 win over Brazos Christian on Jan. 19 before a loss to Alpha Omega Academy on Jan. 22.

The Lions are 8-5 overall and 4-1 in TAPPS District 7-3A play.

Photo by Landan Kuhlmann Booker T. Washington’s Elbert Reed passes the ball during the Eagles’ game against Furr on Jan. 22 at The Pavilion.

St. Pius X, meanwhile, lost to St. Thomas on Jan. 19 and dropped a 57-50 decision to The Village School on Jan. 22 to fall to 8-9 overall and 0-2 in TAPPS District 4-6A competition.

Scarborough dropped games to Worthing and Yates last week, falling to 0-12, while Heights lost to Bellaire in its only game last week. It was the first loss in District 18-6A action for the Bulldogs (8-3,

HISD allows games to go on after scaling back on athletics

By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

Photo from Twitter Heights running back Kendric Rhymes, center, and head coach Stephen Dixon, right, were recently honored for their efforts during the 2020 season by the Touchdown Club of Houston.

Heights’ Dixon, Rhymes honored

by Houston Touchdown Club

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

A couple of key cogs in the Heights Bulldogs’ successful high school football season were recently recognized by the Touchdown Club of Houston for their contributions.

Senior running back Kendric Rhymes was named a finalist for the club’s Offensive Player of the Year award after a 2020 season in which he ran for 645 yards and 12 touchdowns. He added 403 receiving yards to go along with six touchdown

catches as part of a Bulldog offense that averaged nearly 41 points per contest.

Heights head coach Stephen Dixon was recognized as a finalist for the Touchdown Club’s Coach of the Year honors after guiding the Bulldogs to a 7-2 regular-season record, along with their first district championship and playoff win since 2013.

“Wouldn’t be possible without an excellent group of young men and coaches that are all in,” Dixon wrote on Twitter last week.

Houston ISD returned to a full slate of athletic activities on Monday after scaling back for a period of two weeks because of COVID-19 conditions in the region.

HISD announced last Friday, Jan. 22 that it would reinstate all athletic and other UIL-sponsored events starting Monday. Since Jan. 11 it had limited extracurricular activities to varsity-only, district-level competition for its high school teams.

As of Monday, non-district events and tournaments are resuming as scheduled for varsity and sub-varsity teams. Also back on the schedule are middle school competitions in cross country, football, swimming and volleyball, along with club sports.

“We will continue to monitor the Harris County and

City of Houston COVID-19 status information and reevaluate as needed,” HISD said in a news release.

According to data at readyharris.org, there have been a total of 301,173 cases of COVID-19 in Houston and Harris County, with the disease having caused at least 2,874 deaths and 247,704 patients having recovered.

There were 636 active cases within HISD as of Monday, including 323 among students, according to HISD’s COVID-19 dashboard. The area campuses with active cases are Heights, Scarborough and Waltrip high schools, Frank Black, Clifton, Hamilton and Hogg middle schools and Crockett, Durham, Field, Garden Oaks Montessori Magnet, Harvard, Helms, Highland Heights, Oak Forest, Sinclair, Smith, Stevens, Travis and Wainwright elementary schools.

4-1), who were scheduled to play Westside on Wednesday.

Girls The Lutheran High North Lady Lions defeated Brazos Christian 79-39 on Jan. 19 and Alpha Omega Academy 69-16 on Jan. 22. Dalanna Carter continued her rampage through the TAPPS circuit with 47 points, six rebounds and eight steals against Brazos Christian as the Lady Lions (14-3, 5-0) ran their winning streak to four games ahead of a Tuesday tip against Beaumont Legacy Christian.

St. Pius X will be looking to right the ship this week as the Lady Panthers have lost three straight games after losses to The Village School on Jan. 19 and St. Agnes Academy on Jan. 22. Zachara Perkins had 22 points and eight rebounds for the Panthers (8-7, 0-2) against St. Agnes, while Breelyn Sanborn (14 points) and Perkins (19 points) paced SPX

against The Village School.

SPX was scheduled to play Incarnate Word on Tuesday night.

Following a victory against Westside to begin the week, the Heights Lady Bulldogs ran through Chavez 90-17 on Jan. 22 and defeated Lamar 76-43 on Jan. 23. Five Lady Bulldogs scored in double figures against Chavez, while Tatianna Brown grabbed 11 rebounds for Heights (18-4, 8-0), which had won nine consecutive games ahead of Tuesday’s rematch with Lamar.

Washington’s Lady Eagles took down Furr and Kashmere last week to improve to 10-7 overall and 9-1 in District 245A. Waltrip lost to Sterling and Madison to fall to 3-6 on the season, while Scarborough is 0-8 following a loss to Yates on Jan. 23.

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